Lighting system for a refuse vehicle

ABSTRACT

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a vehicle body supported by the chassis, a lift assembly, and a projector. The vehicle body defines a receptacle for storing refuse. The lift assembly is configured to selectively engage a waste container. The lift assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The projector is positioned to emit light outwardly away from the refuse vehicle and proximate the lift assembly to define a target area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/232,228, filed Apr. 16, 2021, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/011,422, filed Apr. 17, 2020, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Refuse vehicles are often used to pick up and remove waste fromcustomers' property. To promote efficiency, refuse vehicles typicallyoperate on scheduled waste removal days, where each vehicle can collectwaste from several locations along a route. Customers position wastecontainers in some predetermined and accessible location on theirproperty (or onto the nearby street or sidewalk) so that the contents ofthe waste containers can be readily transferred into the refuse vehicle.Refuse vehicles often have a lifting mechanism to engage and raise thewaste container off the ground surface, to a position where the wastecontainer is inverted or angled downward toward an on-board wastereceptacle. Aided by gravity, waste falls out of the waste containerinto the on-board receptacle. The lifting mechanism then lowers thewaste container back to the ground surface below. Significant amounts oftime can be spent trying to align the waste container relative to thelifting mechanism for waste removal.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicle includesa chassis, a vehicle body supported by the chassis, a lift assembly, anda projector. The vehicle body defines a receptacle for storing refuse.The lift assembly is configured to selectively engage a waste container.The lift assembly is movable between a first position and a secondposition. The projector is positioned to emit light outwardly away fromthe refuse vehicle and proximate the lift assembly to define a targetarea.

Another embodiment relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicleincludes a chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, a lift assemblycoupled to at least one of the body or the chassis, and a refusecontainer detection system. The body defines a receptacle for storingrefuse. The lift assembly is coupled to at least one of the body or thechassis. The refuse container detection system is configured tofacilitate detecting when a refuse container is positioned within atarget area for engagement by the lift assembly. The refuse containerdetection system includes a projector emitting light outward from one of(i) the body or (ii) a carry can coupled to the lift assembly. Theemitted light from the projector defines a boundary of the target areawith light.

Still another embodiment relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicleincludes a chassis, a vehicle body supported by the chassis, a liftassembly, a projector, a camera, and a display. The vehicle body definesa receptacle for storing refuse. The lift assembly is configured toselectively engage a waste container. The lift assembly is movablebetween a first position and a second position. The projector ispositioned to emit light outwardly away from the refuse vehicle andproximate the lift assembly. The light defines a target area. The camerais positioned to monitor a field of view outward from the refusevehicle. The camera is configured to detect the light emitted by theprojector. The field of view includes the target area. The display ispositioned within the vehicle body and in communication with the camera.The display is configured to receive a signal from the camera tofacilitate presenting (i) the field of view and (ii) at least a portionof the light emitted by the projector. The portion defines the targetarea.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried outin various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to otherfeatures and combinations of features as may be recited herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 ,detailing an alignment system operating on a side of the refuse vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cab of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 ,depicting various control systems present within the refuse vehicle;

FIGS. 4-6 are schematic views of the alignment system operating on theside of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 to align a lifting system on therefuse vehicle relative to a waste container, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the alignment system operating on the sideof the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 to align a lifting system on the refusevehicle relative to a waste container, according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 8-10 are schematic views of the alignment system operating on theside of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 to align a lifting system on therefuse vehicle relative to a waste container, according to yet anotherexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 , with thelifting system partially deployed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 , with thelifting system deployed and extended to engage a waste container;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 , with thelifting system raising a waste container off the ground;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 , with thelifting system emptying the contents of a waste container into anon-board receptacle;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 , with thelifting system returning a waste container to the ground;

FIG. 16 is a process diagram detailing a method of operating a refusevehicle, such as the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle, according to anotherexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 17 ,supporting a refuse vehicle accessory; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle, according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to the FIGURES generally, the various exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein relate to refuse vehicles and methods of operating andcontrolling refuse vehicles. Because residences are typically providedwith standardized waste containers (often referred to as “toters”) tostore waste (e.g., rubbish, recyclables), refuse vehicles are likewisedesigned with a lifting system that is adapted to engage, lift, andempty material from within the standardized waste container into anon-board receptacle on the refuse vehicle. Because the lift system mayhave limited lateral mobility relative to refuse vehicle, the wastecontainer should be properly positioned relative to the lifting systembefore engagement. Operators using traditional refuse vehicles lose timemaneuvering the refuse vehicle relative to the waste container or viceversa by either visually attempting to align the refuse vehicle relativeto the waste container (often with an imperfect line of sight) or byexiting the cab of the refuse vehicle to physically adjust the positionof the waste container relative to the refuse vehicle so that thelifting system can properly engage the waste container. The time, money,and efficiency lost by improperly positioning the refuse vehiclerelative to waste containers is avoided by the refuse vehicles accordingto the disclosure by incorporating different types of vehiclepositioning systems.

The refuse vehicles shown in the FIGURES are equipped with a projector(e.g., lighting assembly) that emits light downwardly and outwardly awayfrom the refuse vehicle. The emitted light defines a target area ortarget zone that corresponds to a range of locations relative to thelifting system of the refuse vehicle where a waste container should beplaced before engagement. If the waste container is positioned withinthe target area, the lifting system on the refuse vehicle cantheoretically engage, lift, and empty the waste container withoutneeding additional relative movement (e.g., lateral movement, fore-aftmovement) between the refuse vehicle and the waste container. The lightemitted from the projector can be visible light (e.g., within thevisible spectrum) so that an operator can readily see the target areafrom within the cab of the refuse vehicle and can stop the refusevehicle when a waste container is visually confirmed to be positionedwithin the target area. In some examples, the cab of the refuse vehiclecan be equipped with a display that presents visual data from a camerapositioned proximate the projector. The camera monitors a field of view,which includes the target area, and presents the data received from thecamera onto the display. Using the display, the operator within the cabof the refuse vehicle can reposition the refuse vehicle until thedisplay shows the waste container is present within the target area.Once the waste container is positioned within the target area, theoperator can initiate a collection sequence by moving the lifting systemto engage and lift the waste container so that the contents can beemptied into the on-board receptacle. By removing the guesswork andsubsequent correction normally involved in aligning the refuse vehiclerelative to the waste container, the process of collecting waste duringa route is streamlined. Significant cost savings are realized bymaximizing the amount of time that an operator spends within the cab ofthe refuse vehicle and limiting time spent outside the cab moving wastecontainers. Both goals are accomplished by the vehicle positioningsystems disclosed herein.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a refuse vehicle 20 is adapted for retrieving andhauling refuse from waste containers. The refuse vehicle 20 can be aside loader, front end loader, or rear end loader, for example, that isarranged to lift and transfer contents of a waste container into anon-board receptacle 22. The refuse vehicle 20 has a vehicle chassis 24that generally supports wheels 26, a vehicle body 28, and the receptacle22. The vehicle body 28 can include a cab 30 and a motor housing 32 thatreceives a prime mover, shown as a motor 34. The motor 34 can be anelectric motor, an internal combustion engine, hybrid engine, or othersuitable rotational power producing device. The motor 34 producesrotational power that is transmitted to the wheels 26 to drive therefuse vehicle 20.

The on-board receptacle 22 is sized to receive the contents of multiplewaste containers so that the refuse vehicle 20 can execute an extendedroute that may include several stops. Upon arriving at each site, alifting system 36 (e.g., a hydraulic arm assembly, can tipper assembly,grabber arm assembly) can engage and raise a waste container until it isinverted or angled downward toward the on-board receptacle 22. The wastecontainer can then be lowered to the ground and disengaged from thelifting system 36 so that the refuse vehicle 20 can drive to anotherlocation along its route and repeat the waste removal process.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 11-15 , the lifting system 36 includes an arm38 coupled to the vehicle body 28 and/or chassis 24. The arm 38 has aselectively movable jaw assembly 40 extending outwardly away from adistal end of the arm 38. The arm 38 moves laterally away from thevehicle body 28 to approach a waste container (e.g., the waste container100, shown in FIG. 12 ). When the arm 38 and jaw assembly 40 reach aposition proximate the waste container, an operator can prompt the jaws42 of the jaw assembly 40 to close around the waste container 100.Closing the jaws 42 around the waste container 100 engages the wastecontainer 100 so that the arm 38 and lifting system 36, more generally,can manipulate the waste container 100 to collect waste positionedwithin the waste container 100.

Once the waste container 100 is secured within the jaws 42 of the jawassembly 40, the waste container 100 can be raised off the groundsurface, toward the on-board receptacle 22. In some examples, the arm 38includes an elevator track 44 to facilitate the waste container liftingprocess. The jaw assembly 40 is coupled to the elevator track 44, whichdefines a pathway for the jaw assembly 40 to travel relative to therefuse vehicle 20 and on-board receptacle 22. Once the jaw assembly 40has secured the waste container 100 and the arm 38 has retracted inward,to its stowed position relative to the vehicle body 28, the jaw assembly40 and waste container 100 can be lifted. In some examples, the jawassembly 40 includes a carriage assembly 46 that interfaces with theelevator track 44. The carriage assembly 46 includes a motor 48 that canactivate to drive one or more wheels or gears (not shown) to initiateupward movement of the jaw assembly 40 and waste container 100 relativeto the elevator track 44. The wheels or gears of the carriage assembly46 interface with steps 50 spaced along the elevator track 44. The steps50 can be formed as a series of undulating peaks and valleys that meshwith the wheels or gears of the carriage assembly 46, so that theelevator track 44 and carriage assembly 46 are arranged in arack-and-pinion style arrangement.

The elevator track 44 includes a lifting segment 52 and a dumpingsegment 54. The lifting segment 52 extends upwardly and approximatelyperpendicular to the ground surface below the refuse vehicle 20. Thedumping segment 54 curves away from the lifting segment 52, toward theon-board receptacle 22. The dumping segment 54 can be defined by an arcof approximately 180 degrees, and is designed to invert the jaw assembly40 and waste container 100 secured within the jaw assembly 40 above theon-board receptacle 22. As the carriage assembly 46, jaw assembly 40,and waste container 100 travel upward along the lifting segment 52, thewaste container 100 remains substantially upright (shown in FIG. 12 ),which may prevent or inhibit waste received within the waste container100 from falling out prematurely. As the carriage assembly 46 traversesthe dumping segment 54 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 ), the carriageassembly 46 initially travels upwardly and laterally, and turns inwardtoward the vehicle body 28 and on-board receptacle 22. The rotation ofthe carriage assembly 46 caused by the arcing elevator track 44 withinthe dumping segment 54 rotates the carriage assembly 46 and, as aresult, the waste container 100 received within the jaw assembly 40. Asthe carriage assembly 46 continues along the dumping segment 54 of theelevator track 44, the carriage assembly 46 continues to rotate untilthe carriage assembly 46 and waste container 100 within the jaw assembly40 are facing and traveling downward toward the on-board receptacle 22.With the open end of the waste container 100 now facing downward andinto the on-board receptacle 22, gravity causes a lid of the wastecontainer 100 to open and the contents of the waste container 100 tofall out, into the on-board receptacle 22 below. Once the contents ofthe waste container 100 have been emptied and collected, the motor 48 onthe carriage assembly 46 can reverse direction and move the carriageassembly backwards through the dumping segment 54 and downward along thelifting segment 52, until the waste container 100 is once againpositioned on the ground below (shown in FIG. 15 ). The jaw assembly 40can disengage from the waste container 100 and repeat a similar processwith another waste container positioned along a route.

The lifting system 36 has limited lateral mobility to engage and securewaste containers 100, which may create delay in the waste collectionprocess if the arm 38 and jaw assembly 40 are not properly alignedrelative to a waste container 100 that should be emptied. When open, thejaws 42 may be spread apart from one another by a distance thatcorresponds to about 3 or 4 times the width defining a standard-sizedwaste container 100. For example, the jaws 42 can be spread apart by adistance of about 3 meters in the open position. If a waste container100 is positioned partially or entirely outside of the two jaws 42, thejaws 42 may not be able to engage the waste container 100 without firstmoving one of the waste container or the refuse vehicle 20 to adjust theposition of the lifting system 36 and, as a result, the jaws 42 relativeto the waste container 100. Once a waste container 100 is positionedlaterally between the jaws 42, the arm 38 and jaw assembly 40 can extendoutward, toward the waste container 100. Once the arm 38 and jawassembly 40 are within a predetermined range from the waste container100 (e.g., 0.25 meters, 1 meter, etc.), the jaws 42 can be closed aroundthe waste container 100. As the jaws 42 transition to a closed position,the jaws 42 at least partially surround and engage the waste container100 so that the lifting and emptying process can be performed.

The refuse vehicle 20 streamlines the refuse collection process byproviding significantly better visual cues to identify if and when awaste container 100 is positioned within a target zone or area, whichcorresponds to the range of locations positioned laterally between thejaws 42. The visual cues help an operator know with certainty that awaste container 100 is positioned laterally between the jaws 42 of thelifting system 36 and, as a result, able to be engaged and emptied bythe lifting system 36 without any additional relative movement (e.g.,forward or backward vehicle travel) between the refuse vehicle 20 andthe waste container 100. The visual cues provided by the refuse vehicle20 allow an operator to more efficiently execute the waste collectionprocess from a waste container 100 along a route without leaving the cab30 of the refuse vehicle 20. The visual cues also prevent mistakes fromoperators outside the cab 30, which can properly position wastecontainers relative to the lifting system 36 using the visual cuesprovided by the refuse vehicle 20. Similarly, the visual cues can beused to alert operators where the range of the lifting system 36 ispositioned, and can allow operators to move outwardly away from thelifting system 36 to avoid unwanted contact.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-2 , the refuse vehicle 20 includes a projector60. The projector 60 can include one or more lighting assemblies 62, 64to generate light. In some examples, lighting assemblies 62, 64 arepositioned on opposite sides of the elevator track 44 and the liftingsystem 36. The lighting assemblies 62, 64 are each arranged to emitlight downward and outward toward the ground below and outward from therefuse vehicle 20. The lighting assemblies 62, 64 can include one ormore light emitting diodes (LEDs) or lamps, for example, that generatevisible light (i.e., light within the visible spectrum, having awavelength between about 400 nm and 700 nm). In some examples, thelighting assemblies 62, 64 are configured to emit light outside of thevisible spectrum (e.g., infrared light, ultraviolet light) onto theground surface below and outward from the refuse vehicle 20.

The light emitted by the projector 60 defines a target area 70 below andoutward from the refuse vehicle 20. The target area 70 can be configuredto correspond directly to the lateral distance or area between the twojaws 42 of the jaw assembly 40. Accordingly, the target area 70corresponds to a range of locations in which, if a waste container 100is positioned, the jaw assembly 40 will be able to properly engage thewaste container 100 without requiring additional movement between therefuse vehicle 20 and the waste container 100. Stated otherwise, if thewaste container 100 is positioned within the target area 70 defined bythe projector 60, the lifting system 36 can engage the waste container100 and collect waste from the waste container 100 without requiring therefuse vehicle 20 to drive in any direction.

The target area 70 generated by the projector 60 can be visible bothexternally and internally. By projecting the target area 70 in visiblelight, operators outside the refuse vehicle can easily identify thelocation in which the refuse containers 100 should be positioned for thelifting system 36 to successfully complete the waste collection process,while also being able to recognize areas to avoid standing while thelifting system 36 is operating. Simultaneously, the target area 70 canbe seen from within the cab 30 of the refuse vehicle 20. As demonstratedin FIG. 3 , the cab 30 of the refuse vehicle 20 can include a controlsystem 72 including a series of inputs, along with a display 74. Thedisplay 74 is in communication with one or more cameras 76 positionedalong the vehicle body 28 of the refuse vehicle 20. The cameras 76 eachhave a field of view extending outwardly away from the refuse vehicle20. The cameras 76 are arranged so that their respective field of viewoverlaps with and includes the target area 70. Media (i.e., images orvideo) monitored and collected by the cameras 76 is provided to aprocessing unit 78 within the control system 72, which subsequentlyprovides the media to the display 74 so that the media can be presentedand viewed within the cab 30. By presenting the media on the display 74,an operator can view the target area 70 and waste container 100simultaneously. Accordingly, the operator can verify whether the wastecontainer 100 is present within the target area 70. If the wastecontainer 100 is not positioned within the target area 70, the operatorcan use the display to determine which direction to drive the refusevehicle 20 so that the waste container 100 will be positioned within thetarget area 70. Once the waste container 100 is verified to be presentwithin the target area 70, the operator can initiate the wastecollection process (e.g., using inputs within the control system 70)described above. In instances where the projector 60 emits light outsidethe visible spectrum, the cameras 76 are configured to detect andcapture the light emitted from the projector 60 so that the target area70 is visible on the display 74 but invisible to the naked eyeexternally from the refuse vehicle 20.

The target area 70 generated by the projector 60 can take on a varietyof different formats. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 and withcontinued reference to FIGS. 1-3 , the projector 60 can produce arectangular target area 70. The lighting assemblies 62, 64 straddlingthe lifting system 36 emit light having different wavelengths (e.g.,yellow, green, red) depending upon a detected location of the wastecontainer 100 relative to the target area 70. A sensor 80 (which canalso be a camera or imaging device) positioned along the refuse vehicle20 can continuously monitor the target area for obstacles, such as wastecontainers 100, present within the target area 70. The sensor 80 can bein communication with the processing unit 78 and an image analyzer 81,for example, which analyzes data taken by the sensor and determineswhether and where a waste container 100 is located relative to therefuse vehicle 20.

As the refuse vehicle 20 initially approaches a waste container 100, thewaste container 100 may be positioned partially or entirely outside ofthe target area 70 generated by the projector 60. If the sensor 80detects that a waste container 100 is present within a sensor field ofview but outside of the target area 70 generated by the projector 60,the sensor 80 can relay a signal to the processing unit 78. Uponreceiving a signal that a waste container 100 is present within thesensor field of view but at least partially outside the target area 70,the processing unit can prompt the projector 60 to adjust a parameter ofthe light being emitted. For example, and as depicted in FIG. 4 , theprocessing unit 78 can control the projector 60 to emit a red light. Thered light can provide a visual cue to the operator that the wastecollection process for the waste container 100 is not yet ready to beinitiated because the refuse vehicle 20 is not properly aligned relativeto the waste container 100. Additionally or alternatively, theprocessing unit 78 can control the projector 60 to pulse or otherwisemodulate the light emitted from the projector 60 when the wastecontainer 100 is detected to be outside the target area 70. Audio alarmscan be generated by the processing unit 78 to further inform theoperator within the cab 30 not to initiate the lifting system 36 toattempt to engage the waste container 100.

The audio and visual cues provided to the operator can communicate botha direction and magnitude that the refuse vehicle 20 should be moved inorder to properly position the refuse vehicle 20 relative to the wastecontainer 100 for waste removal. Using the display 74 within the cab 30,the operator can continuously monitor the position of the wastecontainer 100 relative to the refuse vehicle 20 as the refuse vehicle 20drives. When the sensor 80 detects that the waste container 100 ispresent within the target area 70 but positioned off-centered from thelifting system 36, the sensor 80 can once again convey a signal to theprocessing unit 78. The processing unit 78 can once again control theprojector 60 to adjust a parameter of the emitted light. For example,the projector 60 can be controlled to emit yellow light when the wastecontainer 100 is detected within the target area 70 but within a lesspreferred region (e.g., near a boundary of the target area 70), asdepicted in FIG. 5 . Upon receiving visual confirmation that the wastecontainer 100 is present within the target area 70, the operator caninitiate a waste removal procedure similar to that described above.Alternatively, the operator can continue to move the refuse vehicle 20relative to the waste container 100. Once the sensor 80 detects thewaste container is present within a preferred region of the target area70 (e.g., centered), the sensor 80 can pass along a signal to theprocessing unit 78 indicating the same. The processing unit 78 can thencontrol the projector 60 to once again adjust a parameter of the lightbeing emitted. For example, and as depicted in FIG. 6 , the projectorcan emit a green light to indicate that the waste container 100 ispositioned in a desired location within the target area 70 and is readyto be engaged by the lifting system 36. With this visual confirmation,the operator can initiate the waste collection process from within thecab 30. Alternatively, the waste collection process can be initiatedautomatically when the processing unit 78 detects that a parking orservice brake of the refuse vehicle 20 is engaged and a waste container100 is detected within the target area 70.

In other examples and as depicted in FIGS. 7-10 , the projector 60 emitsonly the boundaries of the target area 70. For example, each of thelighting assemblies 62, 64 are arranged to emit light in a generallystraight line downwardly and outwardly from the refuse vehicle 20. Thegenerally straight lines emitted by the lighting assemblies 62, 64 cancollectively define the lateral boundaries of the target area 70. Asshown in FIG. 7 , for example, the lighting assemblies 62, 64, each emita solid and continuous (or dashed) line. The lines emitted by thelighting assemblies 62, 64 are once again visible to the operator eitherdirectly or via the display 74, and can be used to move the refusevehicle 20 relative to the waste container 100 until the operator canverify that the waste container 100 is present between both boundariesemitted by the lighting assemblies 62, 64 and, accordingly, within thetarget area 70.

As depicted in FIGS. 8-10 , the projector 60 can once again emit theboundaries of the target area 70 but can indicate whether an obstacle(e.g., a waste container 100) is detected within the pathway of theboundary. If the sensor 80 detects an obstacle impeding the lightemitted from one of the lighting assemblies 62, 64 (as shown in FIGS. 8,10 ), the sensor 80 can relay a signal indicating the same to theprocessing unit 78. The processing unit 78 can communicate with theprojector 60 to adjust a parameter of the light being emitted. Forexample, the processing unit 78 can control the projector 60 to adjust acolor of the light being emitted by the lighting assembly 62, 64associated with the location where an obstacle was detected. Forexample, the lighting assembly 62 can be adjusted to emit red light ifan obstacle is impeding the light from the lighting assembly 62 (shownin FIG. 8 ). The red light indicates that a waste container 100 is atleast partially outside the target area 70 and not properly positionedfor waste collection. If the light emitted from both lighting assemblies62, 64 of the projector 60 is uninterrupted (shown in FIG. 9 ), theprocessing unit 78 can control the lighting assemblies 62, 64 to eachemit green light, which indicates to an operator that the wastecollection process can be initiated, as described above with respect toFIGS. 11-15 .

Using the refuse vehicle 20 and projector 60 described above and withreference to FIG. 16 , a method of operating a refuse vehicle 200 can beperformed. The method for operating the refuse vehicle 200 begins atblock 202, where the refuse vehicle 20 approaches a waste receptacle,such as the waste container 100. When the refuse vehicle 20 is drivingor operating in situations where waste collection is not being attempted(e.g., the refuse vehicle is traveling at speeds exceeding 20 mph, forexample), the processing unit 78 may control the projector 60 to powerdown or otherwise cease from emitting light and/or the target area 70.

Once the vehicle slows down to a threshold speed (e.g., below 20 mph orbelow 10 mph) and at block 204, the processing unit 78 can initiate acommand to the projector 60 to begin emitting a receptacle target zoneor target area 70. The target zone or target area 70 can take the formof any of the target areas 70 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2and 4-10 , for example.

At block 206, the processing unit 78 and/or the operator determineswhether a waste receptacle (e.g., the waste container 100) is presentwithin the target area 70. The relative position of the waste receptaclerelative to the refuse vehicle 20 can be monitored by any of the sensors80 or cameras 76 (and the operator by way of the display 74), forexample. As explained above, the sensor 80 can monitor the location ofthe waste receptacle relative to the target area 70 and can communicatesignals to the processing unit 78 indicating the detected relativeposition between the waste receptacle and the target area 70. Inresponse, the processing unit 78 can control the projector 60 to adjustparameters of the light emitted from the lighting assemblies 62, 64, forexample, including light color or wavelength, as well as pulse frequencyor duty cycle. If the processing unit 78 and operator determine that thewaste receptacle is not present within the target area 70 generated bythe projector 60, the operator can move the refuse vehicle 20 at block210 and return to step 206 until the waste receptacle is detected andvisually confirmed to be within the target area 70. In some examples,the processing unit 78 can automatically and/or autonomously adjust aposition of the refuse vehicle 20 relative to the waste receptacle.

If the waste receptacle is detected to be wholly within the target areaat step 206 (e.g., as shown within FIG. 6 ), the lifting sequence can beinitiated at block 208. In some examples, the operator initiates andcontrols the lifting sequence from within the cab 30 using a joystick 82or other buttons within the control system 72 to direct the liftingsystem 36, arm 38, and jaw assembly 40 outward toward the wastereceptacle. In other examples, and as explained above, the processingunit 78 automatically initiates the lifting sequence and directs thelifting system 36, arm 38, and jaw assembly 40 outward toward the wastereceptacle upon receiving a signal from the sensor 80 that the wastereceptacle is present within the target area 70 and receiving anindication from a component within the control system 72 that a parkingor service brake of the refuse vehicle 20 is engaged. The arm 38 and jawassembly 40 can then extend outwardly away from the refuse vehicle 20,toward the waste receptacle, until a detected distance between the jawassembly 40 and the waste receptacle is within a predetermined thresholddistance (e.g., 0.25 m, 1.0 m) that will allow the jaws 42 to at leastpartially surround and engage the waste receptacle.

Once the waste receptacle has been engaged, the operator (or theprocessing unit 78) can prompt the arm 38 to retract toward the vehiclebody 28 and on-board receptacle 22 of the refuse vehicle. Once the arm38 of the lifting system 36 returns to its fully retracted position, theprocessing unit 78 can activate the motor 48 to drive the carriage 46,jaw assembly 40, and waste receptacle engaged by the jaw assembly 40upward, along the elevator track 44. The carriage 46 can be drivenupward along the elevator track 44 along the lifting segment 52 to thedumping segment 54, where the carriage 46 and waste receptacle receivedwithin the jaw assembly 40 are inverted, and angled downward toward theon-board receptacle 22. Aided by gravity, waste from within the wastereceptacle is directed downward and into the on-board receptacle 22.Once emptied, the waste receptacle can be returned to the ground belowthe refuse vehicle 20 by reversing the motor 48 and lowering thecarriage 46 along the elevator track 44. Once the waste receptacle isreceived on the ground surface, the jaws 42 can disengage the wastereceptacle and the process 200 can be repeated.

Using the foregoing systems and methods described herein, refuse can becollected along routes in a much faster and economical manner. Operatorsreceive visual cues and certainty that a waste receptacle is within thearea where the lifting system can properly engage the waste receptacleand complete refuse collection without having to leave the cab. Theaggregate impact of achieving correct vehicle alignment relative to thewaste receptacles being emptied is significant, given the high volume ofstops typically performed on a given route. Substantial cost savings arerealized by minimizing or eliminating failed attempts to engage wastereceptacles with the lifting system due to improper alignment.Similarly, operators working outside of the vehicle are provided withvisual information that allows successful engagement by the liftingsystem along each stop within a route. The elimination of error reducesthe time spent along a collection route, decreases the costs ofperforming a collection route, and improves the safety of the workers byallowing the workers to stay within the vehicle in more scenarios.Safety is further promoted by providing a visual indication of an areato avoid by operators outside the vehicle.

Although shown in the context of a side-loading refuse vehicle 20throughout the disclosure, the concepts described herein are similarlyapplicable to front-loading and rear-loading refuse vehicles as well.For example, and as shown in FIGS. 17-18 , another refuse vehicle 320 isdepicted. The front-loading refuse vehicle 320, like the refuse vehicle20, can include a similar projector 60 having lighting assemblies 62, 64positioned along a front of the cab 30 or on the lifting system 36itself. The front-loading refuse vehicle 320 have a lifting system 36that includes rotatable arms 322 and articulating forks 324 that worktogether to engage, lift, and empty refuse containers. The arms 322 andarticulating forks 324 extend forward from the cab 30 to interact withrefuse containers (e.g., a commercial dumpster 500).

The projector 60 can operate in the same manner as described above tohelp an operator within the cab 30 steer the refuse vehicle 320 intoposition relative to a refuse container for waste removal. As depictedin FIG. 17 , the two lighting assemblies 62, 64 project light downwardand forward of the cab 30, and illuminate an area that corresponds witha location of the forks 324. Once again, the illuminated area cancorrespond with a “target area” or work zone 70 where the forks 324 canengage the interface upon the refuse container 500 without additionallateral movement. Similarly, the target area or work zone 70 can alert aworker where to avoid standing during vehicle operation. In someexamples, the lighting assemblies 62, 64 are positioned directly on theforks 324 or the rotatable arms 322. Accordingly, the target zone 70 canhelp direct the lifting system 36 into engagement with a refusecontainer along multiple axes. The light emitted by the projector 60will adjust as the lifting system 36 is moved vertically, which allows auser to see and observe a specific height of the forks 324. The lightfrom the projector 60 can shine onto the refuse container 500, and intothe interface of the refuse container 500 for engagement and lifting. Asdiscussed above, the refuse vehicle 320 can also include one or moresensors 80 that detect a combination of the light from the projector 60and the refuse container 500. The sensors 80 can be used, with aprocessing unit 78, to manually, automatically, semi-automatically,autonomously, or otherwise adjust a position of the refuse vehicle 320relative to the refuse container 500.

The projector 60 can also be used on refuse truck accessories. Forexamples, and as depicted in FIG. 18 , the refuse truck 320 supports acarry can device 340. The carry can device 340 is supported by the forks324 and can be used to empty residential refuse containers 100 into thereceptacle formed by the carry can device 340. Once again, the projector60 emits light that defines a visible target zone or work zone 70 thatcan help to position the refuse vehicle 320 relative to the refusecontainer 100 to be emptied. The carry can device 340 can be placed incommunication with the processing unit 78 and/or the sensor 80 toautomate a portion of the positioning process as well.

In still other examples, and as shown in FIG. 19 , the alignment systemscan be incorporated into rear-loading refuse vehicles, such as therear-loading refuse vehicle 420. The projector 60 can project lightrearward and downward to define a target zone 70 that is positionedbehind the lifting system 36. Using the projected light from theprojector 60, a worker can position the refuse containers 100 within adefined target zone 70 which corresponds with a location where therefuse container 100 can be engaged and emptied by the lifting system36. Similarly, the worker can avoid the target area to avoid unwantedaccidental contact with the lifting system 36 or refuse vehicle 420.

Additional control schemes can be used to operate the projector 60 andrefuse vehicles 20, 320, 420 more generally. For example, the type ofillumination or position of illumination can be adjusted based upon aselected refuse mode. The selected refuse mode can be a variety ofdifferent modes, include residential, commercial, cold weather,industrial, etc., and can be selected manually or automatically by therefuse truck 20, 320, 420 (e.g., upon detection of a location of thevehicle by a global positioning system). The projector 60 may illuminatea different target for commercial or industrial mode (e.g., wider,because refuse containers tend to be wider along these routes) than theresidential mode, for example. Various other refuse mode type controlsthat can be incorporated into the refuse vehicles 20, 320, 420 are shownand described in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2020/0346657, filed Apr. 17, 2020, and entitled, “Operational Modes fora Refuse Vehicle,” the content of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Although this description may discuss a specific order of method steps,the order of the steps may differ from what is outlined. Also two ormore steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence.Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosenand on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of thedisclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps, and decision steps.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g.,removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers or the two members and any additional intermediate members beingintegrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe theorientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted thatthe orientation of various elements may differ according to otherexemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to beencompassed by the present disclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of therefuse vehicle as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrativeonly. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail, those skilled in the art who review thisdisclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible(e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be notedthat the elements and/or assemblies of the components described hereinmay be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present inventions.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferredand other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of thepresent disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.

1. A refuse vehicle comprising: a chassis; a vehicle body supported bythe chassis, the vehicle body defining a receptacle for storing refuse;a lift assembly configured to selectively engage a waste container, thelift assembly movable between a first position and a second position; aprojector positioned to emit light outwardly away from the refusevehicle and proximate the lift assembly to define a target area; and asensor in communication with a processing unit, the sensor configured toscan a field of view outward from the vehicle body for an obstacle andcommunicate a signal to the processing unit when the obstacle has beendetected within the field of view, and wherein the processing unitcontrols the projector to adjust a parameter of the light emitted by theprojector.
 2. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the projector emitsat least one of visible light or light having a wavelength outside thevisible spectrum outwardly away from the vehicle body and proximate thelift assembly to define the target area.
 3. The refuse vehicle of claim1, wherein the sensor is a first sensor, further comprising: the firstsensor having a first field of view including the target area; and asecond sensor in communication with the processing unit, the secondsensor having a second field of view including the target area and atleast partially overlapping the first field of view.
 4. The refusevehicle of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to adjustthe parameter of the light emitted by the projector based at least inpart on a position of the obstacle relative to the target area.
 5. Therefuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured toadjust the parameter of the light emitted by the projector to a firststate when the obstacle is outside of the target area and to a secondstate different than the first state when the obstacle is within thetarget area.
 6. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processingunit is further configured to adjust the parameter of the light emittedby the projector to a first value when the obstacle is within the targetarea but outside a desired portion of the target area, and to a secondvalue different than the first value when the obstacle is within thetarget area and the desired portion.
 7. The refuse vehicle of claim 1,wherein the target area corresponds to a location within which the liftassembly can extend outwardly away from the vehicle body to engage awaste receptacle wholly positioned within the target area withoutadditional movement of the refuse vehicle.
 8. The refuse vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the projector comprises two lighting assemblies,wherein the two lighting assemblies are spaced apart from one another,each of the two lighting assemblies configured to independently emitlight outwardly away from the refuse vehicle body and proximate the liftassembly to define the target area.
 9. The refuse vehicle of claim 1,wherein the projector comprises a plurality of lighting assembliesincluding a first lighting assembly and a second lighting assembly, thefirst lighting assembly further including a sensor, the sensor beingconfigured to detect an obstacle impeding light emitted by the firstlighting assembly and communicate a signal to a processing unit incommunication with the first lighting assembly that an obstacle has beendetected at least partially outside the target area.
 10. The refusevehicle of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises a first lightingassembly and a second lighting assembly, wherein the first lightingassembly is spaced apart from the second lighting assembly, the firstlighting assembly being positioned on opposite sides of the liftassembly from the second lighting assembly, and wherein the firstlighting assembly emits light outwardly away from the refuse vehicleconfined along a first line, and wherein the second lighting assemblyemits light outwardly away from the refuse vehicle confined along asecond line, the first line and the second line defining outerboundaries of the target area.
 11. A refuse vehicle comprising: achassis; a body coupled to the chassis, the body defining a receptaclefor storing refuse; a lift assembly coupled to at least one of the bodyor the chassis; and a refuse container detection system configured tofacilitate detecting when a refuse container is positioned within atarget area for engagement by the lift assembly, wherein the refusecontainer detection system comprises: a projector emitting light outwardfrom one of (i) the body or (ii) a carry can coupled to the liftassembly to define a boundary of the target area with light; and asensor in communication with a controller, the sensor to monitor a thetarget area for an obstacle and communicate a signal to the controllerwhen the obstacle has been detected, and wherein the controller controlsthe projector to adjust a parameter of the light emitted by theprojector
 12. The refuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein the refusecontainer detection system includes a display device, and a controller,wherein the display device is configured to provide a display of thetarget area based on a signal received from the sensor, and wherein thecontroller is configured to at least one of (i) provide an indication onthe display when the obstacle is in the target area and engageable withthe lift assembly or (ii) control the projector to vary a parameter ofthe light emitted thereby when the refuse container is in the targetarea and engageable with the lift assembly.
 13. The refuse vehicle ofclaim 12, wherein the light is non-visible light, and wherein thecontroller is configured to provide the indication on the display whenthe refuse container is in the target area and engageable with the liftassembly.
 14. The refuse vehicle of claim 12, wherein light is visiblelight, and wherein the controller is configured to control the projectorto vary the characteristic of the light emitted thereby when the refusecontainer is in the target area and engageable with the lift assembly.15. The refuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to at least one of: automatically activate the projector inresponse to the refuse vehicle moving at less than a threshold speed orbeing stopped; or vary a parameter of the light emitted by the projectorwhen the refuse container is in the target area and engageable with thelift assembly.
 16. The refuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein thecontroller is further configured to facilitate activating the liftassembly in response to the data indicating that the refuse container ispositioned within the target area and engageable with the lift assembly.17. The refuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to at least one of: prevent the lift assembly from beingactivated unless the refuse vehicle is in a park configuration; activatethe lift assembly in response to receiving a lift command from a userinterface; automatically activate the lift assembly in response todetermining that the refuse container is within the target area; orautonomously adjust a position of the refuse vehicle relative to therefuse container in response to the refuse container being positioned atleast partially outside the target area.
 18. The refuse vehicle of claim11, wherein the lift assembly further includes a lifting device on thecarry can, and wherein the projector is positioned along the carry canand configured to direct visible light outward from the carry can todefine the boundary of the target area below the carry can.
 19. Therefuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein the refuse vehicle is operable in afirst mode corresponding to a first sized refuse container and a secondmode corresponding to a second sized refuse container, wherein therefuse container detection system is configured to adjust the targetarea to be a first size in response to the first mode being selected andadjust the target area to be a second size in response to the secondmode being selected.
 20. A refuse vehicle comprising: a chassis; avehicle body supported by the chassis, the vehicle body defining areceptacle for storing refuse; a lift assembly configured to selectivelyengage a waste container, the lift assembly movable between a firstposition and a second position; a projector positioned to emit lightoutwardly away from the refuse vehicle and proximate the lift assembly,the light defining a target area; a first camera positioned to monitor afirst field of view outward from the refuse vehicle, the first cameraconfigured to detect the light emitted by the projector, wherein thefirst field of view includes the target area; a second camera positionedto monitor a second field of view outward from the refuse vehicle and atleast partially overlapping the first field of view and including thetarget area; and a display positioned within the vehicle body and incommunication with the first camera and the second camera, the displayconfigured to receive a signal from at least one of the first camera orthe second camera to facilitate presenting (i) the field of view and(ii) at least a portion of the light emitted by the projector, theportion defining the target area.